Sunday, 27th February 2022 - Patchwork Fields

Have I told you about the discovery of the pressure cooker? Bean soup in 8 minutes. That impressed me and gave me time to make cheese scones (my sister-in-laws recipe), lemon drizzle cake (my Mum's recipe) to have with ice-cream (my daughter's recipe) and french sticks (my recipe). We shared this with Ewen and Chris divided by a long walk in the sun over the fields of Benenden. 

Patchwork Fields

Watercolour

Saturday, 26th February 2022 - Where the Sky meets the Trees

I type with a sore back from weeding. I gauge another four hours and I will have finished the beast of the flowerbed I am working on. I have as audio book to keep my mind occupied with murders and mysteries while taking on a tedious task. 

This painting is a view from a walk through Benenden. My walks take many pauses when something gorgeous catches my eye.

Where the Sky meets the Trees

Oil on Board

Friday, 25th February 2022 - Gorse and Trees

We went to The Swan at Chapel Down with Tony and Wendy. The food was glorious and something that I would not be able to replicate at home. The combination of flavours were delicious. I highly recommend going.

There is a group of trees in a field that is edged with gorse. We walk through it frequently. I have always wanted to paint it and oils seemed the perfect form of expression.

Gorse and Trees

Oil on Board

Thursday, 24th February 2022 - Man in the Clouds

Sometimes technology is a pain in the arse and impossible to navigate. Today I spoke with both my children and grandson and thank the technological wizards out there for providing such an amazing resource to connect.

We went for a late afternoon walk to post a couple of parcels, the weather was fine so we continued along the footpath. I have a camera and mind full of inspiration for future paintings. The skies and landscape were stunning.

Man in the Clouds

Watercolour

Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 - Variations of Grey

 The daffodils have not been hampered by wind or rain. They are looking glorious. 

Variations of Grey
Pencil

Tuesday, 22nd February 2022 - A Landscape in Portrait

My bed and breakfast guests were delightful and entertained me with stories over charmingly toasted homemade bread. I love the diversity of guests we get. It makes the cleaning and ironing worthwhile.

This evening we went to friends in the village for dinner. I am home and fully full of delicious food and wine. Steve and Angie have ventured far and wide. I am enthused to travel.

A Landscape in Portrait

Watercolour

Monday, 21st February 2022 - The Lasting Love of the Periwinkle

Back to work for me today. The breadmaker made a glorious loaf of bread while I baked lemon drizzle cake. It was my Mum's recipe which evoked many memories of her. I miss the way she listened to my babbling.

And back to learning in art class this evening. It was a lesson in one point perspective and tone. I will post it when it is finished.

The Lasting Love of the Periwinkle

Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 20th February 2022 - The Benenden Sow

I had Adriene to guide me through my planks and cobras. 

It was hot showers and washing with gay abandon. How one appreciates these things when you have been without.

It has been nine days since I have left the environs of my home. We went for a muddy, windy and wet walk with Tony and Wendy. followed by a drink in the pub. It was glorious.

The Benenden Sow

Charcoal and Watercolour on Khadi paper

Saturday, 19th February 2022 - Blowing a Hooley

We are like many in the South of England are without power. 

Due to the lack of internet and not having Adriene to guide me I tried doing self led yoga. I won't be doing that again. I had no idea where to go from my downward dog and how to get out of a reversed side angle.

Rain and wind pelted us during a period of clearing an uprooted rhododendron.

Another romantic evening by candlelight. Would it be mean of me to think I will be pleased when power is restored?

Blowing a Hooley

Painted by Candlelight

Watercolour

Friday, 18th February 2022 - Hornbeams Felled by Eunice

We watched and waited for the onslaught of Storm Eunice. She did a mighty job whipping across the country. Our power went out accompanied by the internet - hence the late blog. The bee hive toppled. hopefully the bees weren't too concerned. Sand bags are holding it down. The saddest damage was the ripped branches from what used to be a very fine oak tree. 

We had a candlelight evening eating split pea dhal and warmed by the woodburner. 

Hornbeams Felled by Eunice

Painted by Candlelight

Charcoal and Watercolour

Thursday, 17th February 2022 - The Pond 5/100

I chose 'leading the eye' for my composition. After Storm Eunice has visited I hope the trees will still be vertical.

The Pond

5/100

Watercolour

Wednesday, 16th February 2022 - Whitstable

Trawling through my photos I came across some of when Tim and I spent a lovely couple of days in wonderful Whitstable and charming Tankerton back in December. I found a good subject for trying out Loud and Quiet Conversation in work as taught by Nicholas Wilton in his Art2Life Workshop that I am taking part in this week. It also ties in with The100DayProject. Perfect way to spend a couple of hours painting at the kitchen table of a disgustingly wet and windy day.

Whitstable
Watercolour

Tuesday, 15th February 2022 - To Catch the Sun 3/100

There was a brief spell of morning sun before the rain held court for the rest of the day. 

The view from the window was perfect for an exercise in single point perspective for the 100 day project. A lit woodburner and a pile of art books on the sofa were a great way to spend an afternoon. I like to think of it as research.

To Catch the Sun 3/100

Watercolour

Monday, 14th February 2022 - The Naked Embrace 2/100

There is an ancient maple tree in the garden. Without its leaves you can see how over the years the branches have twisted around each other. 

Today's composition challenge was to use the golden ratio - in a very loose way. The ink sort decided to do its own thing. 

The Naked Embrace
Watercolour with Eucalyptus Leaf and Avocado Stone Ink 

Sunday, 13th February 2021 - 1/100 Rule of Thirds

 I am doing the #The100DayProject along with thousands of people. It starts today. You have a theme to work with for the duration. After lots of deliberation I decided upon Composition for Print. This gives me loads of flexibility and hopefully push me into making a few collagraphs. I have done a loose interpretation of the rule of thirds with the highest contrast on a third intersection.

1/100 Rule of Thirds

Watercolour

Saturday, 12th February 2022 - The First Rose

Every moment of warmth from the sun and every extra minute of daylight is encouraging the garden to grow. This provides a plethora of painting subjects which is perfect when you have plenty of time to spend at home.

The First Rose
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 9th February 2020 - A Sign of Hope

The sun and a murder mystery audio book kept me company weeding a flower bed.

We have drifts of snowdrops in the garden looking glorious.

A Sign of Hope
Watercolour 

Tuesday, 8th February 2022 - Spring Fields

 

We took Tony and Wendy for a muddy Benenden walk. 

Spring Fields

Watercolour

Monday, 7th February 2022 - Inky Daffodils

With much enthusiasm I have used my homemade inks to draw/paint with. They smell wonderful due to the cloves keeping the mould at bay. There is a pale grey green made from eucalyptus leaves. A dark red/brown steeped from avocado skins and a lovely yellow from daffodil flowers. According to the books I have read it will fade rapidly if exposed. I quite like that idea. I have chosen the wrong type of support. Khadi paper is handmade and acts in a blotting paper way blurring out lines with water based mediums. Nevermind I have had fun exploring. Tomorrow will probably be another daffodil day.

Inky Daffodils
Homemade Inks

Khadi Paper

Sunday, 6th February 2021 - Scent in the Air

Tom and Karina paid us a delightful visit. I have gifts of seaweed to make ink. The bottle of Carr Taylor sparkling wine was tried and tested quickly upon arrival. Tom has cut our 'long' hedge in a matter of hours. Usually this is a two day task. How wonderful to be young with strong shoulders. Thank you Tom. 

Scent in the Air
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 4th February 2022 - Perching Buzzard

I have been snatching moments to read my new book on ink making. I am trying not to skip straight to the 'how to' section.

Our two chickens made a very noisy disapproval of a buzzard being so close to their roosting site. I have it on good authority that they were quite right to be concerned as it may have taken one for a meal.

It decided that sitting atop our metal heron for enough time for us to admire its beauty.

Perching Buzzard
Watercolour

Thursday, 3rd February 2022 - Power to our Sockets

I gave Tim a hand moving our scaffolding tower. He is doing a bit of window, roof and guttering maintenance. My upper body has had a good workout. Adriene helped gave me a fierce yoga core workout. I am feeling physically virtuous

My avocado ink is looking promising. It is cooling. Tomorrow I will think of something charming to draw.

Power to our Sockets
Watercolour 

Wednesday, 2nd February 2022 - Tidying the Hive

There is a great podcast called ArtJuice. Two artists Louise Fletcher and Alice Sheridan chat about art related stuff. They made me laugh and learn while I was weeding a flowerbed.

I passed our beehive on the way to find a place for my rhubarb plant. I was delighted to see a few bees had been tempted by the warm sun.

Tidying the Hive

Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 1st February 2022 - Ninja Hetty

We have had a glorious day with Harriet. I miss her being my neighbour so very much but she isn't too far away I tell myself. We did loads of playing, laughing and eating. My brio engineering skills have been honed by Herbie. Raff was quietly delightful. We briefly saw Hetty before she had a climbing lesson. Her strength and flexibility are impressive. I delivered some eucalyptus ink to Harriet. I look forward to seeing her and the childrens creations. 

We have had a Great Pottery Throw Down fest this evening. What a talented bunch. Even the Gnomes were revoltingly wonderful.

Ninja Hetty

Pen and Watercolour